About Neil McKinlay

Through most of his life, Neil McKinlay has pursued an interest in human possibility. Beginning as a general exploration, his attention eventually focused on yoga and meditation. Winding this journey together with a background in sport and leadership, Neil has transformed seemingly disparate experiences into sources of insight and inspiration for people from all walks of life.

During an award-winning career as a swim coach, Neil gained a reputation for his unique perspective. Seeing swimmers as people first and athletes second, he emphasized personal development as much as - if not more than - competitive improvement on the teams he lead. “Sport offers a wealth of opportunities for growth when approached in this way,” he notes. This wealth is expressed in the pages of his well-received book, Learning to Swim: Reflections on Living.

As a member of Victoria's Iyengar Yoga community, Neil studied under a variety of teachers. These included Shirley Daventry-French, one of North America's foremost Iyengar instructors. “This time grounded my sense of spirituality,” Neil observes. “Engaging the body, touching the earth, and working in a householder tradition proved essential for what was to come.”

What was to come was a meeting with Dr. Reginald Ray and, through him, the meditative tradition of Chogyam Trungpa. “A door opened,” Neil says, “and I had to walk through.” Since that encounter a decade ago, Neil has attended a year's worth of retreats and residential programs under the direction of Dr. Ray and the Dharma Ocean Foundation. “What strikes me about this work,” he notes, “is how ordinary it is. Far from being a means of transcending life, this tradition views meditation as a way of entering the world more fully. It is about trusting our lives.”

Now an authorized instructor himself, Neil offers meditation workshops and classes for new and experienced practitioners. His writing and personal coaching support these efforts, lending guidance to people eager to explore their lives. His talks and other workshops highlight the intersection of spirituality and daily living through such titles as Parenting and the Spiritual Path and Simplify Your Life. “All these endeavors are inspired by the world I have encountered through my own practice,” Neil admits. “I hope others will have this opportunity too.”